(Adult Language) A veteran returns to Tarawa, site of one of the bloodiest battles in WWII history, to find it covered in trashThe story of Leon Cooper’s—WWII veteran and American original—return to “Red Beach”. Cooper, a veteran of the battle of “Bloody Tarawa,” returned to Tarawa in February 2008 in order to learn more about reports he had read about garbage on the fabled “Red Beach.” In November 1943, Leon, a US Navy landing craft officer, helped launch the first major amphibious assault on a Central Pacific Japanese stronghold. Leon is dismayed to discover that this hallowed ground is strewn with garbage rotting in the sun, a painful insult to the sacrifice his fellow marines made for their country, during one of the bloodiest three-day battles in American war history.
Cooper’s trip is full of wonder, anger, amazement and divine providence as he and film maker Steven C. Barber visit what Leon suspects to be the graves of hundreds of Marines still buried on Tarawa. Follow Leon Cooper’s trip back in time, as narrated by Oscar-nominated actor, Ed Harris. A story of redemption and passion that will move you to tears.
 Return to Tarawa
Release Year: 2009 Duration: 47 min Availability: Worldwide Related: History, International The story of Leon Cooper’s—WWII veteran and American original—return to “Red Beach”. Cooper, a veteran of the battle of “Bloody Tarawa,” returned to Tarawa in February 2008 in order to learn more about reports he had read about garbage on the fabled “Red Beach.” In November 1943, Leon, a US Navy landing craft officer, helped launch the first major amphibious assault on a Central Pacific Japanese stronghold. Leon is dismayed to discover that this hallowed ground is strewn with garbage rotting in the sun, a painful insult to the sacrifice his fellow marines made for their country, during one of the bloodiest three-day battles in American war history.
Cooper’s trip is full of wonder, anger, amazement and divine providence as he and film maker Steven C. Barber visit what Leon suspects to be the graves of hundreds of Marines still buried on Tarawa. Follow Leon Cooper’s trip back in time, as narrated by Oscar-nominated actor, Ed Harris. A story of redemption and passion that will move you to tears.
Directed by Steven C. Barber Executive Producer Leon Cooper Producer Matthew Hausle Associate Producer Tamara Henry Edited by Jay Miracle Return to Tarawa Blog
Posted 05/26/09 by Leon Cooper, Executive Producer, Return to Tarawa
A recent issue of the LA Times carried an obit about Newt Heisley, a WWII vet, who designed the “Iconic POW/MIA Flag,” including the refrain, “You are not forgotten.” His flag and the attention it commanded had much to do with recovering and repatriating the remains of the Viet Nam dead. … More >
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Comments Posted 10/06/09 by Clark Guelde
I’m calling my congressman and senators tomorrow, Supporting the troops means more than a yellow ribbon magnet on the side of a car. I was saddened, disgusted, and angred at the disgrace of what has happened to the battlefield and the bodies of these brave men, men who have done more than all 535 clowns in DC ever did for our freedom. Posted 09/29/09 by ross hupp
My Father Roscoe Hupp was one of the marines aboard the
Posted 08/26/09 by brock
I have what is suppose to be a Japanese battle flag from Tarawa. A good friend of mine who died a few years ago was a merchant marine. His name was Bill Riff. His story was that he was there, the troops were on the beach and very low on ammunition. He said that he volunteered to take a small boat full of supplies to the men on the beach. After the battle, he was presented with the battle flag. I’m trying to confirm this story in any way. If there is a a place that has any mention of this event, please contact me! I’d like to give the flag to a museum or at least a memorial for this battle, but I want to make sure that it is what it is from and that my friend’s story pans out. If so, he deserves the recognition. Thank you! |
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